Rare Cosmic Event Poses Threat to Earth’s Existence, Study Finds
A recent study conducted by a team of physicists led by Haille Perkins from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has shed light on the potential danger posed by a collision between neutron stars. These catastrophic events, known as kilonova explosions, occur when two neutron stars collide. According to the researchers, there are only approximately 10 neutron star binaries in the Milky Way galaxy that are destined for a collision.
The team’s findings, published on the preprint server arXiv, indicate that if Earth is not in the path of the kilonova’s gamma-ray burst, the biggest danger would come from cosmic rays. These highly energetic particles could pose a threat up to a distance of 35 light-years. However, if Earth happens to lie in the kilonova’s path, a fatal proximity of 300 light-years is predicted.
The implications of this research extend beyond our own existence. Scientists can now assess the likelihood of life surviving on planets near these star-shattering events. Neutron star collisions typically result in short bursts of gamma radiation, narrow jets on either side of the colliding stars, gamma-ray cocoons, and X-ray afterglows.
Analyzing the first detected neutron star collision, known as GW170817, the researchers determined that any living thing within 297 light-years of the gamma-ray burst would likely be affected. The distance for gamma radiation from the cocoon structures is estimated to be around 13 light-years.
The study also revealed that the impact of X-radiation lasts longer than gamma-ray emission and is more lethal. A planet would need to be within approximately 16 light-years to be affected by X-radiation.
Perhaps the greatest threat comes from the long-term exposure to cosmic rays. These particles have the potential to strip Earth’s ozone layer, leading to devastating mass extinctions. The threat persists for thousands of years, and a proximity of 35 light-years is required for such an event to occur.
However, despite these alarming discoveries, the researchers emphasize that the rarity of binary neutron star mergers and the limited range of lethality suggest that they are not significant threats to life on Earth.
If a nearby kilonova event were to occur, it would not trigger a mass extinction. However, it would be visible from Earth and could disrupt technology shortly after the merger. The event would remain bright in the sky for over a month.
As scientists continue to delve into the mysteries of the universe, studies like this provide critical insights into the potential risks we face from cosmic phenomena. By understanding these threats, we can better prepare and protect our planet and potentially even find clues about life on other planets near these star-shattering events.
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